horrific

adjective

hor·​rif·​ic hȯ-ˈri-fik 

hä-

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

hä-

adverb

Synonyms of horrific

• gruesome
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• nightmare
• horrifying
• frightening

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1903, two young sons, Robert and Archie, died in the horrific Iroquois Theater fire. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

The Charlotte Hornets overcame horrific shooting from star guards LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel to survive a 127-126 overtime thriller against the Miami Heat, ending Miami’s season. —Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Timing is everything – and for Tesla, the timing was horrific, debuting an innovative electric vehicle just as the country dove into its deepest recession in decades. —John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

California’s largest hikes in home-repair costs last year were found in communities near the horrific January 2025 wildfires across Los Angeles. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrific

• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific